Starting mechanism



Ct- 17, 1933- R. P. LANSING Er Al.

STARTING MECHANISM l Filed Nov'.

I N V EN TORS Raymond P Lanai/7g Home@ Afl. Nara/ane Patented Oct. 17,1933

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,931,459 s'rAn'rlNc MECHANTSM Application November 25, 1931 i Serial N0. 577,352

l'IClaims.

This invention relates to starting mechanisms, and more particularly to starters for engines of the internal combustion type.

An object of the invention is to provide novel means for maintaining the driving member locked in its engine-engaging position as long as the `starting motor remains energized. In this connection a feature of the invention is the provision of novel speed responsive mechanism associated with the meshing means and operative to hold the meshing means in engine-engaging DOSition, and to release the meshing means only after the circuit to the motor is broken. l

Another object oi the invention is lto provide in a motor-driven starter of the type in which a normally disengaged driving member is adapted to be moved into engagement with a member of the engine to be started, novel connections for effecting such driving engagement in response 20 to the initial rotary movement of the motor. In this connection, a feature of the invention is the provision of a control member normally rotatable with the motor but adapted to be locked against such rotation during the period of movement of the driving member into engine-engaging position.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means controlled by an electro-magnetic device for locking the aforesaid control member against rotation during movement of vthedriving member to engine-engaging position.

Other objects and advantages to be derived from the use of the invention herein disclosed will become evident on an inspection of the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating `the preferred embodiment of the invention. It is to be expressly understood however, that said drawing is for the purpose of illustration only and is not to be construed as a definition of the limits ofthe invention, reference being had for this purpose to the lappended claims.

In the drawing,

Fig. I is a longitudinal sectional view of a device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and i i Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Referring to Athe drawing, the invention is shown embodied in a device having a prime mover 1, herein shown in the form of an electric motor whose armature shaft extends beyond the ends of the motor, one extension being indicated by reference character 2 and the'other by reference (Cl. 'I4-7) character 3. As Vshown and claimed -in `the copending application, Serial No. 572,210, filed by Raymond P. Lansing on October 30th, 1931, these extensions 2 and 3 have associated therewith interlinked mechanism to be further described, said mechanisms being claimedr herein only in combination with other` elements not. disclosed in said co-pending application. A casing or bracket 4 extends from the frame of the motor and at its outer end is provided with a bearing 05 portion 5 adapted to receive the right-hand extension 3`of the armature shaft. The casing also` preferably constitutes the supporting means for a shifting' lever 6 pivoted to the casing .by suitablemeans such as a rock shaft 7, and terminating in a yoke portion 8 whose lower end 9 is inl a position to engage a flanged collar 10 constituting part of the shifting means hereinafter described, and operative to mesh the driving membexfll with the engine member 12, the for-v mer-beingshown in the embodiment herein illustrated as a pinion movable along the shaft 3 into mesh with the gear 12 drivably connected by suitable means notshown, tothe crankshaft.

The means for swinging the lever 6 to effect a, 80 meshingpof the pinion 11 with the gear 12 is similar to that disclosed and claimed in the co-pending application above identified, and includes a link 14 pivotally connected at one end to the upper end of the lever `6 and at its other end to a 85 second lever 15, the latterbeing adapted to swing about a xed pivot 16 joumaled in a v relatively stationary support, the lower end of the lever terminating in a yoke 17, the lower ends of which engagea iiangedcollar 18 in substantially the 90 same kind of connection as that between the members 9, and 10 above described. As shown, the anged collar 18 is internally threaded and is movable to a limitedextent along the vexternally threaded end `20 of the armature shaft 2. 95. The adjacent portion of the-armature shaft 2 is provided witha split locking ring 21 and suitable key means 22 for securingl thereto a collar 23 constituting Aan abutment for a ycoiled compression spring 25,I the opposite kend of which seats itself on the surface provided oncollar 18 at the junction ofthe extended portion 19 with the threaded portion. VThe normal stress of the coiled com-A pression spring 25 is preferably such `as to maintain the collar 18 in abutting relation to a split 105 collar 30 .which in turn abuts the flange 31 in which the armature shaft terminates.

The invention includes, as above suggested, novel means for locking `the control member 18k against rotation during the mst `sarge or rota- 110.

- portion 38 of the housing which thus constitutes a slidable support of said member 38. Pivoted to suitable lugs which are preferably integral with section 41 of the housing, is a lever 42 having a yoke portion 43 of a construction similar to that of the yoke engaging sleeve 18, the collar 33 having a suitable annular groove 44 cooperating with said yoke. At its lower end the lever 42 is pivotally secured to a vthimble 47 adiustably secured to thethreaded end of a link 48 adapted to be actuated by an electro-magnetic device 49, now to be described.

The electro-magnetic means for controlling the locking means just described, as well as the energization of the starting motor, may be of any construction which is suitable for dual function of actuating the link 48 and closing the energizing circuit to the motor. As shown herein by way of example (although not' claimed as' novel per se) the electro-magnetic device is constituted by a cup shaped shell or casing member 52 which is closed at its open end by a plate 53 extending laterally therefrom and providing means by which the switch may be mounted upon the casing of the starting motor or upon any other suitable support. A terminal plate is secured to the outer face of the closure plate 53 by suitable means, to hold the parts in assembled relation. Terminal plate 55 is provided centrally thereofl with an outwardly projecting portion having a pair of angula'rly related openings in which terminal members 59 and 60 of the motor are mounted. These terminal members are inl the form of threaded bolts having heads 61 and 62 which overlap the edges of the openings and act as the stationary contacts of the switch. Suitable nuts 63 are threaded onto the outer portions of the bolts for attachment of the motor and battery-cables to said bolts, suitable insulating washers being interposed between the terminal plate 55 and the heads and nuts of the f terminal members 59 and 607m order to prevent electrical contact thereof with the terminal plate.

.sulated therefrom in any suitable Way, as by means of the insulating material 71 in` which said contact plate is embedded. Contact plate is located intermediate terminal heads 61 and 62, and closure plate 53, and is adapted to contact evenly with said heads and` closethe circuit bel tween the terminal-members 59 and 60 when the rod 69l is moved toward the left ask viewed in Figl.

Connecting. member- `69. carries on the end thereof, which extends :into shell 52, a plunger '12 of magnetic material having a slightly smaller diameter than the outside diameter of the guide member 67. The plunger is suitably fixed to said connecting member, as by means of a pin 73, and serves asqa movable pole piece 72. A spring 74 surroundsl the member 69 between the pole pieces 67 and 72, seated in a recess in pole piece 72 and normally maintaining said member in a position such that movable contact 70 is out of engagement with terminal heads 61 and 62.

A spool 75 of suitable insulating material is located within the shell 52, and isadapted to fit closely within said shell and around the guide member and pole piece 67 on the closure plate 53. vSpool 75 carries a solenoid Winding 76 having terminal posts 77 and 78 which extend outwardly through openings in the shell member 52 and which arefinsulated from the shell by means of suitable bushings Bisand 82. Terminals 77 and 78 are iixed to the inner head of spool 75, in any suitable way, as by being locked or molded therein, and are clamped in assembled position by suitable nuts 83 which bear on the bushings 81 and 82 and thus securely hold the spool 75 within shell 52.v l

'Conductors 84 and 85 of the control circuit lead from opposite terminals 86 and 87 of a battery or equivalent source, and connect with terminal posts 77 and 78 to which they are secured by suitable means such as the usual clamp- 105 ing nuts (not shown). One of these conductors is divided to permit insertion of a manually operable switch 90 located within easy access of the operator of the vehicle.

Means for drivably connecting the collar 10 110 with the engine-engaging pinion 11 to first move the latter intoy mesh with the engine member 12, and thereafter turn over the engine crankshaft in response to the torque transmitted through such driving connections, is'herein shown con- 115 stituted -by an assembly of parts adapted to respon'd to rotation of the motor shaft 2, such assembly of parts including preferably an axially movable overrunning clutch mechanism constituted by a plurality of rollers 91 disposed in tapering recesses cut at regular intervals along the outer surface of sleeve 92, the latter being splined to the armature shaft as indicated at 93, the sleeve 92 thus constituting an inner race of the clutch; the outer race being constituted by a 125 member 94 drivably connected to. or as shown integral with, the pinion 11, This portion 94 of the pinion is engageable by the end of sleeve 92 and is also provided with acircumferential depression 96 serving 'for retention of the rim 130 97 of a thin disc 98 which retains the rollers 91 in place. The sleeve 92 is of a larger diameter at its clutch end, thus providing an annular ledge 99 on which is seated one end of a coiled compression spring 100 the other end of which 135 abuts collar 10 and operates to maintain the latter in engagement with flanged end 101 of the sleeve 92.

The novel speed responsive means for rendering spring 25 ineffective to cause ratcheting of 140 the teeth 35 with the teeth 34 during the cranking operation, and to insure maintenance of the pinion l1 in meshed relation with the gear 12 until after the circuit to the motor-ls opened, will now be described. As shown, such 'means is constituted by a plurality of `centrifugal weights 104pivoted in arms 105 extending from the collar 23, and also having inwardly extending fingers. 106 engageable with the inner flange of the sleeve 19; the centrifugal action of the weights 150 ylplsfif v s, n ,v -thx-)ughtheLv driving member of the starter remains-inoperative engagement with the engine thus counteracting any-tendency of the sleever to move to the left in response to the urge of spring 25, solong as `the amature shaftisrotating' at, orf approximately at, cranking'speed. Ther-advantage of this speed responsive feature is that it becomes unnecessary for the operator to release the starting switch 90 immediately upon each unsuccessfulattempt to crank the engine. That is, should the motor nre but once or twice and 'then stall, the operator may'nevertheless maintain the switch closed; as' continued energization ofthe motor, due to the provision of weights 104. holds the sleeve r19 inthe pinion meshing position.

In operation, closure of -theswitch 90 energizes the electro-magnetic device 49 to shift link 48 to the left thereby'rocking theA lever 42 about its pivot to engage the teeth 34 with the corresponding teeth of the -sl'e'ev'e 18 Yand at the same time to close the circuit to the motor through contact '70.l The resulting A rotation of the armature shaft, in conjunction with the fact that the sleeve 18 is now locked against rotation,

causes the latter to be threaded along the armature shaft, thereby rocking the `lever in ak counter-clockwise direction and imparting a similar oscillation to the lever 8 through the link 14. The axial thrust thus exerted on' the collar l0 is transmitted throughrthe spring 100 to the pinion 1l causing the latter to'move into meshing relation with the engine member 12. In the event of end engagement of the teeth,the spring 100 is compressed somewhat, the Apinion meanwhile rotating `with the vshaft 'suiciently to relieve the abutting condition, whereupon the spring becomes effective to snap the pinionv into mesh. Likewise, in the event of end engagement of the teeth 34 and 35, the axial thrust on the collar 18 produced by the electro-magnetic action, will cause somerotation of the collar along the threads on the armature shaft and Athus relieve the abutting condition whereupon bothl the electromagnetic action and the action of the spring will be to establish a meshing relation between the teeth. i

The centrifugal action upon the weights 104 is such that even beforethe pinion has completed its meshing movement, the weights have moved to their outer position, wherein the collar 18 is positively restrained from any possible re-engagement of the teeth 34 with the teeth 35 pending de-energization of the motor. In this connection it is to be understood, as vabove explained that the threading action between the collar 18 and the amature shaft operates toA withdraw the teeth 35 from the teeth 341` just after, but -not before, the pinion l1 has established meshing relation with the gear 12. Y

When the engine has started under its own power, the operator releases switch 90 and the resulting de-energization of the electro-magneticv device,v together withv the deceleration of 4the amature shaft, permits the ratchet members 33 and 18 to return'to their normal inoperative positions as indicated in Fig. 1, in which returning action the pinion 1l is causedtovfollow by` virtue of the link and lever connections between the collars 18 and 10, the latter acting through "its engagement with the nange on sleeve 18'to with'- draw the pinion; f H

There is thus provided means for producing driving engagement between the starter and -the engine by the utilization of energy developed in the motor, together with means for preventing a return torque transmission to the motor even Imakes it possible to divide the shifting and drivafter starting of the latter under its own power.v Moreover, the 'novel k'shifting meansdisclosed ing 'apparatus into separate locations on either side-ofthe, prime mover, thusreducing the over'- hang between the engine end of the prime mover and the engine. Q V

A further yadvantage possessed by the inven`` tion is' the eliminationpf disengaging springs or other torque responsive devices which, in the constructionsheretofore employed, were necessary to prevent injury to the starter as a result of the increased torque developed ,inv the engine on starting. With constructions employing the principles of the present invention. there is -no danger of injury; 4regardless of the length' of time the operator delays in opening `the switch.- The feature of. the Ainvention whereby the vpinio'rrmay 'overrun the motor shai't'isvof con` siderable importance in that it makes it possible to restart the engine through application of power to the flywheel 12in the eventthat-the engine tends to stall. To this end the invention herein disclosed is applicable to, and may be combined with, vany ofthe existing types of electrical or electro-magnetic control mechanism` operating through the engine ignition circuit, or other current generating circuit, to re-engage the starter with the engine on anytendency to stall, and without the necessity of further manual intervention. 1 v f Y While it is obvious from the foregoing-'that' thev embodiment herein disclosed possesses practical merit, it is tojbe understood thatthis embodiment is not exclusive of other constructions which may incorporate the novel provisions herein disclosed and claimed, and such other embodiments as will be suggested to persons skilled in the art' on examination Vof "the foregoing Y description 'and the accompanying drawing are to be 'considered' as embraced herein, and within the scope of the appendedclaims.A i l v whatisclaimed is: y 12o 1v. Apparatus of the character described' cornprising, in combination, `a` driving shaft, adriven member movable longitudinally with -res'pect to said shaft, an overrunning clutch comprising a part rotatable with said shaft and a part rotatable 125 with said driven member, a rotatable control member for Vproducing longitudinal` `motion ofr said driven member, and means for lockingsaid control member against `'rotation duringV such longitudinal motion. f

2. Apparatus of the character described comprising, `in combination, a motor having a driving shaft; a motor-driven member mounted for rotation and longitudinal motion with respect to said shaft,;m`eans for utilizing energy developedin the motor'for producing longitudinal motionof said 'motor-drivenmember comprising a rotatable control member carried by said shaft, and means for locking said control member against rotation during such longitudinal motion. f 14.,

3. Apparatus of the character describedfcom` prising, in combination, a vdriving shaft, a driven member movable llongitudinally with `respect. to said shaft, an overrunning` clutch comprising a part rotatable-with said shaft and a 'partrotataa 1115 ble with said driven member, a rotatable control member for producing longitudinal motion of said drivenmember, and means for locking said control member against rotation during such longitudinal motion, said locking means compris- 1d? ing a non-rotatable collar carried by said shaft and adapted to engagesaid control member.

4. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a motor having a driving shaft, a motor-driven member mounted forrotation and longitudinal motion with respect to said shaft, means for utilizing energy developed in the motor for producing longitudinal motion of said motor-driven member comprising a rotatable control member carried by said shaft, means for locking said control member against rotation during such longitudinal motion, and common means for operating said locking `means and motor.

5. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a motor having a driving shaft, a motor-drivenv membermounted for rotation and longitudinal motion with respect to said shaft, an overrunningl clutch comprising. apart rotatable with said shaft and a part rotatable withsaid motor-driven member, a rotatable control member for producing longitudinal motion of said motor-driven member, means for locking said control member against rotation during longitudinal motion of said motor-driven member, and common means for operating said locking means and motor.

6. Apparatus of the character describedcomprising, in combination, a motor having a driving shaft, an engine member, an overrunning clutch mounted for rotation and longitudinal motion with respect to said shaft', and magnetically controlled means for converting the initial rotary movement of said motor shaft into a rectilinear movement effective to produce longitudinal motion of said clutch into engagement with said engine member. s

'1.,Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a motor having a driving shaft, an engine-driven member, a motor-driven member mounted for rotation and longitudinal motion with respect to said shaft, said motordriven member comprising an overrunning clutch, and an electro-'magnetically controlled member carried by said shaftfiand'operative Ato convert the initial rotary movement of said. motor shaft into a rectilinear movementoperative to produce longitudinal motion of said motor-driven member into engagement with said engine-driven member.

B. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a motor having a driving shaft, an engine-driven member, a motor-driven member engageable with said engine-driven member, a member rotatable relatively to said shaft, atorque transmitting connection between said last named member and said motor-driven member, and magnetically controlled means for -converting the initial rotary movement of said motor shaft into a rectilinear movement effective to produce longitudinal motion of said torque transmitting connection. y

9. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a motor having a driving shaft, an engine-driven member, a motor driven member engageable therewith, a torque transmitting connection between said shaft and said motor-driven member, mechanical means responsive to the initial rotation of said motor shaft to move said motor driven member into engagement with said engine driven member, and an electromagnetically controlled member carried by said shaft and operative upon said mechanical means to render the latter effective to cause said engaging movement.

10. Apparatus of the character .described comrotation and longitudinal motion with respect to said shaft, means for utilizing energy developed in the motor for producing longitudinal motion of said motor-driven member, an electro-magnet, me:- ,s responsive to energization of said electromagnet for rendering said motion producing means effective,l and speed responsive means for holding said last named means in operative position until de-energization of said motor.

l2. Apparatus ofthe character described comprising, in combination, a motor having a driving shaft, a motor driven `member mounted for rotation and longitudinal motion with respect tok said shaft, means forutilizing energy developed in the motor for producing longitudinal motion of said motor driven member, and means including a speed responsive device for holding said last named means in operative position until de-ener-` gization of said motor. v 13. Apparatus of the character described comprisingin combination, a motor having a driving shaft extending therefrom at either end thereof, an engine-engagingvmember mounted near one end of said shaft, means for converting the initial rotary movement of said shaft into a rectilinear movement keffective to move said engine engaging member along said shaft, and means including ratchet members mounted near the other end of saidy shaft for controlling the action of said converting means.

A14. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a motor having a driving shaft extending therefrom at either end thereof, an engine-engaging member mounted near one end of said shaft, means for converting the initial rotary movement of said shaft into a rectilinear movement effective to move said engine engaging member along said shaft, and means including ratchet members mounted near the other end of said shaft for vcontrolling the action of said converting means, one of said ratchet members being capable of limited axial movement along said shaft and the other being engageable therewith and supported on the motor housing.

15. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a motor having a driving shaft extending therefrom at either end thereof, an engine-engaging member mounted near one end of said shaft, means for converting the initial rotary movement of said shaft into a rectilinear movement effective to move said en gine engaging member along saidy shaft, and means including ratchet members mounted near the other end of said shaft for controlling the action of said converting means, one of said ratchet members being capable of limited axial movement along said shaft and the other being engageable therewith and supported on the motor housing, and means extending through said housing for producing engagement between said ratchet members.

16. Apparatus of the characterdescribed com- 17. Apparatus of the character described comprising. in combination, a motor having av driving shaft, a motor driven member mounte'd for rotation and longitudinal motion with respect to said shaft, means for producing longitudinal motion of said motor driven member comprising a control member carried by said shaft, and centrifugally actuated means for holding said control member in predetermined position on said shaft until de-energization of said motor.

RAYMOND P. LANSING. Romo u NAnnoNE.

ISISv 

